The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-08
THE OTHER RECORD.


has record to which he and his friends can
point with pride. Mayor Denny is lawyer.
If this is disability or drawback to a candi-
date for Mayor he must shoulder If, for he
cannot deny that he is lawyer 1t may be
said in mitigation of his offense if it is one
that he has the reputation of being an honest
lawyer. The record he made as city attorney
secured him the nomination for Mayor two
years ago. Then, as now, the saloons were in
politics, and the Liquor League was trying to
gain control of the city. The Democrats had
nom mated for Mayor man who, as police
commissioner, had given abundant evidence
of his desire to favor the league and to break
down the law. Sim Coy was then, as now,
the leader of the Democratic forces The Sem
tinel, in its report. of the convention that NOM
mated Cottrell, said "Mr. Sim Coy was the
master of ceremonies" The boss did not as
sumo quite as much power two years ago as
he did this year. Then he let the convention
name the candidate, and was content to be, as
the Sentinel called him, master of cere-
moniesp This year he had the central COM
mittee place the nominating power in his
hands, and made the nomination himself.
The convention that nominated Mr.. Denny
two years ago adopted platform embodying
the following declarations:
"First-The enforcement of law in the in
terest of public order and for the preservation
of private rights.
'Second-The strictest economy in the adj
ministration of the affairs of the city govern
ment within the revenue raised from the
present rate of taxation, and of the refunding
of the existing city debt at lower rate of tax
alton.
"Third-The levy of tax of 800 per year
upon each saloon in the city, the proceeds
whereof shall be placed in the general fund of
the city treasury.
''Fourth-The overthrow of the arrogant
domination of the Liquor League in the poll
tics of the city and State"
ballot, and il his speech accepting the NOM
ination he said:
az want to say now in the beginning of
this contest, that / plant myself squarely on
the platform which has been adopted by this
convention. / never saw the time when [
was not and never expect to see the time when
/ will not be in favor of the enforcement of
the laws. And since controversy has arisen
regarding the raising of the saloon tax from
$50 to 800 year | have been in favor of that
ALSO have not known the time when [ was
not in favor of the strictest economy in the
administration of the city's affairs. and in the
connection which / have had with the official
affairs of the city. my counsel and my acts have
been directed to curtailing expenses in every
possible way"
The rest of his speech Endorsed other parts
of the platform. We quote it to show where
Mr.. Denny stood two years ago, and that his
record as Mayor is consistent with his pledges
before his election. At all times and under
all circumstances he has stood for the enforce
ment of law. In fact, the only charge
brought against him now is, that he has been
too firm and unyielding in this regard, and the
only electioneering argument DIR. Edenharter
has is, that he will not initiate Denny in the
enforcement of law. Mayor Denny might
have made many friends and votes in certain
quarters if he had ignored his pledges made
before the election, and winked little at the
violation of law. Perhaps if he had been less
honest and conscientious he might even have
done this in sly way without attracting the
attention of those who nominated and elected
him. But he has done nothing of the kind.
He has redeemed his pledge in this regard to
the fullest extent.
The question of increasing the saloon tax
was prominent issue in the city election
four years ago. The Republicans favored an
increase from $50 year to $780, The Liquor
League, led by Sim Coy, opposed it. Before
the election Denny said: IF l am elected
the ordinance will be passed" He was
elected and the ordinance was passed, but not
without struggle. The Democrats fought
it to the bitter end and died in the last ditch
Every Democratic member of the Council
except one staid away from the meeting of the
Council at which the ordinance was to be
acted upon, but it was passed in spite of them.
Mr.. Denny's election was the signal for its
passage. The same tide of public opinion
which elected him carried the ordinance
through. This ordinance has resulted in
placing about SIS, 900 a year in the city treas
ury. 1t was part of the Republican platform
on which Mr.. Denny planted himself square
ly." Though his Republican predecessor had
the pleasure of signing the ordinance increas-
ing the tax, it certainly would not have been
passed had Mr. Denny not been elected.
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The date of the CITY EIectiou in Tuesday